Connect with us

Published

7 months ago

on

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage would not have been told to avoid holding in-person surgeries in his constituency, Sky News understands.

A source said the Speaker’s Office have no record of telling Mr Farage he should not hold physical surgeries in his Clacton constituency, as he claimed in a phone-in earlier on Thursday.

The MP had said he is not holding in-person surgeries in his constituency over fears the public will “flow through the door with knives in their pockets”.

Politics Live: Starmer branded ‘ivory tower leader’ for taking gifts

The Reform UK leader said he had been advised not to accommodate the “old-style” physical meetings between MPs and their constituents in his seat of Clacton.

Asked whether he was hosting in-person surgeries, Mr Farage told LBC “not yet”, but that he would “when parliament allows me”.

On whether he had been advised for his own security not to hold surgeries, he replied: “I would have thought that would make sense, wouldn’t you?”

More on Nigel Farage

Related Topics:

He said the guidance had been given by “the Speaker’s (Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s) office, and beneath the Speaker’s Office there is a security team who give advice and say you should do some things and not do others”.

However, Sky News understands that the Speaker’s Office has no record of this conversation.

Read More from Sky News:
PM ‘angry’ to see offenders popping champagne after early release
Early release of prisoners is unpopular – so will it work?

A House of Commons spokesperson said: “The ability for MPs to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy.

“The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), working closely with the police, offer all MPs a range of security measures for those with offices or surgeries in their constituencies – helping to ensure a safe working environment.

“We do not comment on individual MPs’ security arrangements or advice because we would not wish to compromise the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff or members of the public, but these are kept under continuous review.”

The Reform UK leader was asked whether he had an office in his constituency – and how many surgeries he had held there since being elected more than two months ago.

“Do I have an office in Clacton? Yes. Am I allowing the public to flow through the door with their knives in their pockets? No, no I’m not,” he replied.

Asked why people of Clacton would want to flow through the door with knives in their pockets, he said: “Well they did in Southend. They murdered David Amess, and he was a far less controversial figure than me.”

Conservative politician Sir David was fatally stabbed during a surgery in his Southend constituency in 2021 by an Islamic State-supporting terrorist.

A spokesperson for Reform UK told Sky News: “Nigel has been advised against holding in-person surgeries by the Parliamentary Security Department and the Home Office until physical measures have been put in place that ensure the safety of him, his staff and the general public.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

UK

Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield – as victim named

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 21, 2025

By

Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield - as victim named

A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.

“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”

GVs from SN footage on 20/04/2025 at scene of murder on 19/04/2025 of woman at Gainsborough House, Ayley Croft, Enfield in north London. Ingest 25 NM25 SKY SAF ENFIELD MURDER GVS ENFIELD 2045
Image:
Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield

Read more from Sky News:
Fresh appeal over student’s murder
100 firefighters battle flats blaze

The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.

Continue Reading

UK

‘British man’ dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador – reports

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 21, 2025

By

'British man' dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador - reports

A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.

According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.

Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.

While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.

Playas del Cuyabeno
Image:
The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province

Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.

Read more from Sky News:
IDF finds ‘failings’ over attack on aid workers
Pope blesses Easter crowds from popemobile

According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.

It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.

Continue Reading

UK

Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

Published

8 hours ago

on

April 21, 2025

By

Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

Three men have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a woman who was struck by a van at a golf course following a police pursuit.

Suzanne Cherry died in hospital four days after she was struck by the vehicle on the morning of 11 April.

Two police cars had been following a grey Nissan van in Lichfield, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

However, they stopped chasing the van when it went off-road and up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.

West Midlands Police said John McDonald, 51, of Bloxwich, has been charged with manslaughter, assault by beating and failing to stop a vehicle when directed by a constable.

Johnny McDonald, 22, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 34, of Darlaston, Walsall, have also been charged with manslaughter.

They are due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 21 April.

Three other men who had been arrested have been bailed with conditions.

Read more from Sky News:
Woman, 45, stabbed to death
The 10 worst airports for flight delays
Just 303 DeLoreans left on Britain’s roads

Following Ms Cherry’s death, her husband paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and described how he watched in “helpless horror” during the incident.

“Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle,” he added.

The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances prior to the crash.

Continue Reading

Trending